This is my 2011 SOP. Since I was about to graduate, I used all of my studies, work, and past experiences with Japan to plan out and write my paper. Moreover, I started my future career objectives after JET. Although I never went to Waseda University or obtained a master’s degree in International Relations, I did obtain a Master’s of Science in Tourism.
2011 Statement of Purpose
My interest in East Asian culture was ignited by my high school Japanese language class. The class was challenging because I was unfamiliar with the Japanese language or culture. As a way to deal with the difficult writing, grammar, and speech structure, I sought out a Japanese pen pal to exchange emails and parcels with. This friendship led to my first visit to Japan. Traveling to Japan helped me in envisioning my long-term goal of becoming a global ambassador. Since then I have pursued a career path in East Asia studies. My current goal is to become an Assistant Language Teacher in the Jet Program based on my experiences from tutoring and studying abroad. With this position, I can fuel my understanding of the Japanese culture and language while giving back to the community through English teaching and seeking my professional goals.
After graduating from [College] in 2008, I decided to work there as a preparatory writing tutor in the Prep Writing Lab. My primary duty was to aid students, especially international students, in mastering proper grammar techniques and skills. I really enjoyed helping the students who were from East Asia because it gave me the chance to learn about diverse countries and cultures from the student’s perspective. I not only tutored, but I also held other responsibilities, which facilitated the students’ learning. I worked with the preparatory writing teachers to provide new supplementary materials for students who came into the writing lab to focus on perfecting grammar structures. These skills will be useful to me as an ALT because I can adapt them in creative ways to assist the teacher and reassure students in the classroom that learning English is fun.
Besides my experiences as a preparatory writing tutor, my previous work in and on Japan would be greatly beneficial for me when I become an ALT. I was an exchange student at Kansai Gaidai University for the Japanese language and culture studies program. By studying Japanese daily, I was able to communicate effectively and transition into Japanese society. For instance, shopping, traveling and making friends in Japan are not a hurdle for me anymore. Moreover, I took a Visual Anthropology class where I learned how to study and appreciate the Japanese culture through methods of photography and research, which enabled me to investigate my personal interest in Japanese national treasures such as castles. A smooth shift into the Japanese lifestyle is important to me but equally important, I would like to give back to the community and integrate further than my previous fast-paced study abroad life. As an ALT, I hope to participate with my students in local events and school clubs. I also want to show my spirit as an active community member and role model, which will help me push forward with my goals in East Asian studies.
Through integration into the Japanese community, I want to obtain a clearer and more critically informed understanding of the Japanese language to voice my thoughts and opinions. By doing so, I will understand the Japanese people better through feedback from non-native English speakers. This will benefit me professionally when I pursue my master’s degree in international relations, focusing on globalization and socio-cultural changes at Waseda University. By concentrating on the changes in East Asian culture that occur through the effects of globalization, I will focus on the ways in which transnational culture reshapes and transforms Japanese communities.
By bringing my relevant experiences from tutoring and living abroad to the JET Programme, I will benefit my students by sharing my culture and by encouraging them to learn English. I will use my involvement in community activities to enhance my Japanese language skills for future use when I pursue my master’s degree. It would be an honor to be offered the opportunity to serve as an ALT in the JET Program.
Final Comment:
I believe I spent about 46 hours editing and writing this statement. You will have to cut lots of information out and work tediously to string it all together for your SOP. Even though this paper seems lengthy, it’s really not. There is not a whole lot of room to write about everything you want to. Just make sure you stand out against the rest!
Also, check out my 2012 SOP from the year I was accepted and short-listed to the JET Program.
